THRIVE East of the River
THRIVE East of the River was a COVID-19 emergency cash-relief pilot launched in June 2020 by a coalition of four Washington, DC nonprofits — Martha's Table, Bread for the City, 11th Street Bridge Park (Building Bridges Across the River), and the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative — to support low-income families in Ward 8 whose economic stability was threatened by the pandemic. The program provided qualifying families five monthly cash payments of $1,100 ($5,500 total), plus weekly groceries, dry goods, and case-navigator support to help access unemployment insurance, tax credits, and other benefits. It was funded entirely through private philanthropy — foundations, corporations, and individual donors — and evaluated by the Urban Institute. The program continued enrolling families beyond its initial cohort and, as part of the broader multi-org THRIVE effort, eventually served nearly 600 households before formally concluding in 2022.
COVID-19 relief, guaranteed income, Ward 8, multi-org coalition, Washington DC
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Martha's Table
- City
- Washington
- State / Province
- District of Columbia
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Website
- https://marthastable.org/
- Phone
- +1 202-328-6608
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Inactive
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 600
- Funding type
- Philanthropic, Corporate
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 5,500 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 1,100 USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 5 months
- Distribution Type
- Check
- Benefit details
Participants received five monthly cash transfers of $1,100 (total $5,500 per family), which could also be taken as a single lump-sum payment. Families also received weekly groceries and monthly dry goods, plus assistance from an assigned navigator connecting them to unemployment insurance, tax credits, and other public benefits. Families enrolled through the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative were additionally enrolled in a financial literacy program covering budgeting, credit scores, and long-term financial planning.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Eligibility was based on income, ward of residence (Ward 8), and employment status; families were identified and enrolled through the four partner organizations' existing caseloads (e.g., Martha's Table's Education and Family Visiting programs) rather than through an open public application. Martha's Table used a three-tier annual household income scale: roughly $15,000 or below for the first 25 families, $25,000 or below for the next 50, and $35,000 or below for the final 50 slots. Participants were encouraged to consult THRIVE-provided legal experts because an increase in reported income from the cash transfer could risk eligibility for other public benefits like SNAP or Medicaid.
Family
- Family Status
- Parent
Financial
- Income limit (annual household)
- $35,000
Geography
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Washington DC (Ward 8)
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Optional
- Complementary program enrollment required
- Financial literacy program (for families enrolled via Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative)
- Research / participation requirements
The Urban Institute served as the independent research/evaluation partner, using participant surveys, qualitative interviews, administrative data, and program operations documentation. Findings were published in the February 2022 report 'An Evaluation of THRIVE East of the River: Findings from a Guaranteed Income Pilot during the COVID-19 Pandemic,' which found participants used funds mainly for rent/mortgage (54%) and food (42%), and reported improved food security and mental health outcomes.
Application Process
- How to apply
There was no open public application; families were identified and enrolled by the four partner organizations through their existing programs and caseloads (e.g., Martha's Table's Education and Family Visiting programs, or Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative's existing families), with additional non-client families able to be considered if they met the income and ward criteria.
- Selection process
Martha's Table selected families in income-based tiers: first 25 families earning approximately $15,000 or below annually, next 50 earning approximately $25,000 or below, and final 50 earning approximately $35,000 or below, drawn from families enrolled in Martha's Table Education programs or otherwise qualifying non-MT families in Ward 8.
